Potholder Activity

I was running low on potholders due to my May special (buy a fabulous cookbook, get a free Perky Potholder), which will soon become a July special now that my inventory is back up.

Here are some of the latest. I thought this one was kind of watermelony.



And then another anomaly occurred. I still can't figure out why the two sides are different. Weird.




I don't have a name for this design. Suggestions?

Thunder!!

No, not the weather kind, the softball kind. But we did have a lot of the weather kind two weekends ago, and I'm happy to report that my basement stayed dry, no trees fell down, and my Basement Watchdog sump pump battery backup system worked like a charm when the power went out.

But I digress. Lenore, my dad and I took a road trip to Rockford to check out a team that wasn't the Bandits, the Rockford Thunder. We had to do this without the Rockford Grrrlz, Addi and the Wife, because they totally blew us off. Not really. :)


Like the Bandits, the Thunder has a nice new ballfield, however they do not offer Dairy Queen as a game-time concession, so that's a bit of a drawback. (It's all about the snacks!) On the plus side, they do sell beer and margaritas, which is not available at Bandits home games, since their field is located on a Baptist college campus. I wonder if they got in trouble for having those between-inning dance contests. Hmmm. Anyway, Lenore got to have a brief pre-game chat with the Thunder's pitcher in the ladies room (would that happen in men's pro sports? I think not.) and developed a subsequent girl crush. WhatEVER. Catchers are way hotter.

The Weather was Perfect and the Pies were Square

Once the saga of the lost wallet had drawn to a close, we had a splendid long weekend starting with a visit to Madison, home of quirky streetscapes and the fabulous farmer's market. In keeping with my traveling tradition, I had to document our meal at Kabul, a favorite restaurant on the main drag that serves Afghan/Mediterranean food. The soup is FANTASTIC. Wish I knew what was in it. Then again, maybe it's best not to know.



This is Lenore's dinner.



I'm not posting mine because, frankly, it just looks gross in the photo (where's a food stylist when you need one?), but it involved chicken, curry, saffron rice and artichoke hearts. Mmmm.

We stayed at the Hotel Ruby Marie, which is a nice place (free happy hour!), good location, and possibly the worst breakfast you could imagine. Check it out. Mmmm...grease. We're not sure what that meat is...maybe rhino gizzard? Tenderized tapir penis? Best not to think about it.




A couple shots from the market. We've hit this market enough times that I feel the photos have been overdone, but I can never resist radishes and flowers.




Then it was on to Wilton, WI for biking, kayaking and eating with some other ladies from the Chicago area. It was a big meet-up that was perfectly underorganized and lacking in a schedule so as not to be exhausting. We love staying in Wilton (population around 450?), because it's right in the middle of the Elroy Sparta bike trail AND it's home to Gina's Pie's are Square, a fabulous little cafe across the street from Hardware Hank's, a wonderfully jam packed hardware/general store that makes me feel like I'm 7 again (and about to get in trouble from my dad for wandering off).

The four-room Mid-Trail Hotel. $50/night with kitchen and Amish people clattering by in their little orange triangled horse carts. How can you beat that?





This is Gina trying not to look tall.


This is just a Coke sign.



And me on the Wilton slide, circa 1971. Seriously, we had one like this on the playground at my grade school. I believe they are banned now because they lack sufficient safety features and parachutes. Also cold packs for when you burned your ass sliding down it on a hot day. How can that *not* make you feel a little nostalgic?



I can't believe I neglected to document the pie. I think we ate it too fast or were too busy doing Snoopy dances. Well, you can check out the goods at Gina's web site. The business is currently for sale for a mere $195,000 complete. Tempted? The building itself is a bargain.

After lunch (and pie), we hit the bike trail. I don't know why I persist in taking pictures of the tunnels. They're dark, they're old, and they haven't changed in the several times we've been there. But they're so neat, I can't help myself. You can click on any of these (like the sign) to see an enlargement.




This is the tunnel in which Lenore dropped her sun clip. So we walked its length three times. Someone from our group, who we didn't know was from our group at the time but helpfully lent us her bike light, spotted it just before someone was about to run it over. Phew.



It's worth noting that this tunnel is close to a mile long. And you're supposed to walk your bike through it. Emphasis on "suposed to." I recall not being able to see the light at the other end, but in this picture, you can indeed see it. It was literally raining inside the tunnel -- very drippy and cold.


After biking, we had square pizza at Gina's (it's a theme) followed by more pie, and then pizza for breakfast, then kayaking on the Kickapoo. I can't remember more perfect weather, and we seemed to have the river to ourselves. Usually you run across a drunk flotilla or two, maybe some whiney kids. This time, it was just us gals, 3 dogs and the birds. Perfection.







Kayaking was followed by...go ahead, guess. I had peach.

For the record, our hometown pie shop (what a rich life!) does not make square pies; therefore, this foray into Wisconsin piedom was not cheating. We are equal opportunity pie eaters. I wouldn't say no to a cookie either. I'm just sayin'.

June Hair Update

Things are progessing, though we may need more fertilizer.

UP: My $.02

A brief aside:
We went to see UP last weekend, and it was very enjoyable. I highly recommend seeing it in 3D, despite what reviewers have said, because not only is it visually stunning, but the Pixar short (my new favorite)seen in 3D before the main feature is worth the extra $2 bucks right there.

Overall, the movie was beyond cute and weird enough to capture my attention completely. I didn't even notice how much the cheap-ass 3D glasses were hurting my nose until the movie was almost over. The story itself was, in a word, odd. Carl's escape plan, the strange pairing of misfit boy scout with geriatric Carl, the back story and adventure...all good. But then there's Kevin the technicolor raptor, talking dogs (some who fly planes!), a mad scientist... it's like the writers had a 'shroom party and then sat down to type. But it all worked, and I'd give it four stars if anyone cared.


Pixar's gotten some praise for their unlikely heroes: a 78-year-old man and a chubby kid. But I wish they'd grow a set and give us a girl hero for a change. And, as one NPR blogger noted, not another Princess. (Nothing against princesses, but...c'mon.) Carl's wife Ellie, who we see only in flashbacks, is fantastic. I guess there's the assumption that boys aren't interested in girls until they've got boobs. But have we ever had a character to prove otherwise?

Ups Outweigh Downs, Film at 11

Synopsis:
Four-day weekend! New friends and pro softball! Where the *&%#! is my wallet. The police know my name? Late night phone calls and the DMV. Madison and Kabul! Pie! Tunnels! Best kayaking ever. More biking, sunshine and bread pudding.

So, overall, the positives far outweighed the frustrations, plus it was interesting to learn that you can cancel your life in less time than it takes to replace a driver's license at the DMV.

It all started Thursday night when we met some new friends at Judson College (sorry...University) for a Chicago Bandits game. The crowd was sparse so we got moved to the VIP seating (which consists of rickety folding chairs behind home plate...yes, it's professional sports, but it's women's professional sports). In the process of moving and saving seats for the two friends, I lost my wallet. But of course I didn't notice 'til I got home. Lenore and I rushed back to the ball field and arrived just as the last floodlight went out. Sigh. Flashlight search...nothin'. Swearing and gnashing of teeth followed by about an hour of phone calls to credit union, credit card companies and, upon advice of helpful credit card people, a trip to the police dept. to file a report. Brief aside: I know I live in a small town, but I didn't expect the police officer to know my name and address. Hmmmm.


Not wanting to travel out of state w/out a license, I went to the dreaded DMV the next morning, arriving before 8 a.m. in hopes of beating the crowds. No such luck. There was a loooong line, and it moved ever so slowly. FINALLY, after about 30 minutes to 3 hours, I can't be sure, it's my turn with the gatekeeper. And let me just say any stereotype you've ever seen on TV or read about r.e. the DMV is so totally true. Except the gatekeeper only had one head. But all the rest? Totally true.

I was almost smug in my foresight to bring my passport; however, since it was a newly renewed passport, I did not notice or think about the page you're supposed to sign. So the gatekeeper was all, "I need something with a signature."
Blink.
"Um..but that's my passport. It's got my picture in it and everything...see, right there, that's me."
"But it's not signed."
(Fantasy response: "How about I sign your cast after I break your arm?")
"OK, hand me a pen and I'll sign it."
"I can't do that."
Blink. There was a stern sign hanging right above my head about how you could be sent to Gitmo for trying to bribe DMV people. Plus, I didn't have any money save for a $5 bill to pay the fee. So I just stared at her. Roland once told me the first person to talk in salary negotiations loses, so I figured maybe the technique could transfer. It worked!
(resigned sigh on her part)
"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but if you want to sign it over there and get back in line..."
Blink. Back in line?
"Can I borrow your pen?"
(Brief debate over whether or not I could borrow a pen, which I also WON, all the while chewing my lower lip so as not to bellow "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME????")
Back to the end of the now longer line than when I started.

Fast forward to me getting past the gate keeper with my little deli-line paper number that is A009. And they just called A006. Sweet! Maybe I'll get out of here in under an hour and a half.
"Now serving E476 at counter 2"
Huh?
"Now serving B007 at counter 3"
WTF?
"Now serving B973 at counter 1"
Yes, the DMV numbering system is apparently on loan from the BINGO hall down the street.
Then I notice the guy who was in front of me originally (the first time through the line) who just wanted to renew his state ID was still sitting there.
"Now serving E232 at counter 3."

More gnashing of teeth...

Fast forward a mere half hour later...and they called my number!!
I fairly skipped up to the counter for my coveted time with surly DMV lady #2. BTW, it is in the DMV handbook not to make eye contact or smile. Ever. It's true, I Googled it.

Next stop, surly DMV lady #3 to pay my $5. Only she was busy having an argument with surly DMV lady #4 about whether or not she could take the time out of her busy routine to fold tests in half. Seriously. I memorized their conversation.
"Can you please fold the tests in half before ... (inaudible)"
"No, I'm not going to do that, it's too much work!"
"But I need the tests folded ... (inaudible) because then it's easier...(inaudible)"
"I don't have time for that! It's too much work!"
"To fold a piece of paper?!"
"Don't raise your voice...(inaudible)"
At this point I surreptitiously looked around for some hidden TV cameras. Then I cleared my throat.
"Um...if I could just pay for..."
Surly DMV lady #4 stomps off and I have the full, albeit indifferent attention of surly DMV lady #3. It was everything I thought it would be and more.

Next stop, the photo booth. (Where I DID NOT even get a new photo!!)
From cashier to non photo and getting a new license, it took about 5 minutes. It's heartening to know my tax dollars are feeding such an well-oiled machine of efficiency.

Shiny new license in hand, only an hour or so behind schedule and feeling a little more relaxed, I went home to pack the car while Lenore called the Bandits home office on the off chance that someone had turned in my wallet. They had my wallet. That was my plan all along of course. Had I not gone through the trouble of cancelling my credit cards, spending $29 dollars to cancel 3 checks and getting a new license, I'd be the proud "owner" of a muscle car and 37 cell phones right now.

OK then. So at least I got back my weekend cash, my Starbucks card (!), and the Border's gift card from Odie that I had been carrying around and savoring for a rainy day. I was out $29 for stopping payment on a couple of blank checks, $5 and about 2 hours in my life. Not too bad I guess.

And then we had a splendid weekend via Madison, Wilton and Ontario, WI, which included the huge and always fascinating farmer's market, pie, bike riding, pie, kayaking and more pie. Pictures coming soon!

Quick Post

Just a few pics from the weekend, which included a dip in Lenore's new birthday birdbath (my dad made a *really* cute little fountain for it, documentation follows), fun vases from the market, garden developments (I'm still in control, but barely), a fun nature hike, garage saling (we each got a denim jacket for $2 bucks!) eating way too much fabulous bread pudding from the Measuring Cup and attending Heather's cancer walk fundraiser at Diamond Jim's. And I wonder why I'm so tired on Mondays. I forgot to take a picture of Lenore's head -- the Miracle Grow is doing wonders!







Here's the birdbath fountain in action! One of my more thrilling YouTube movies if I do say so myself.



This is one of the Township Open Space sites that we saved -- it's come a very long way from scrubby, overgrown expanse to a spectacular prairie with quite a few rare and endangered plants. It's one of the larger sites at 150 acres.


Open Space pioneers Sue and June.


Cool fungus -- anybody know what kind this is?


Last weekend our long lost friend Elsbeth visited and gave Ducky II a try. Here we are paddling south. We were accosted by several jet skis, but the result was just some fun waves to bob around in/on. Aerial photography by Lenore.